Madonna marries Sean Penn in Malibu

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How photographer Allan Adler got the shots everybody wanted of the superstars’ wedding in 1985

Allan Adler originally refused to shoot Madonna’s wedding to Sean Penn for the National
Enquirer. But when he realised they were desperate, with everyone else
booked for other titles, Adler got savvy. “OK, fine,” he told them. “In that
case, I want a day rate of $2,500, a Bell JetRanger helicopter and $3,000 in
‘persuasion fees’.” The Enquirer agreed and, two
days later, he was circling the Malibu cliff with the other 20 or so
helicopters that drowned out the exchange of vows below.

Adler used his “persuasion fees” to convince the pilot to get closer and stay
low for